Client news

Somerset House, one of the capital’s most iconic events spaces, has won Best Christmas Venue in the London Venue Awards. Judges commented that the setting of Somerset House, with its soaring Christmas tree and ‘magical’ ice rink, was comparable to the Rockefeller Center in New York.

To celebrate their award, the Events Team are offering a festive treat of four complimentary ice-skating tickets to each event organiser who books a Christmas party at Somerset House this year. Organisers can also book a private view of the venue’s ground breaking new ‘Peanuts’ exhibition alongside their venue hire, as a welcome addition to their Christmas party. The highly anticipated Good Grief, CharlieBrown! Celebrating Snoopy and the Enduring Power of Peanuts, opened in the Embankment Galleries at Somerset House on 25th October and runs until Spring 2019.

The London Venue Awards judges also commented on the range of options and event spaces which make the venue accessible for a lot of Christmas party budgets.

The East Wing Galleries, primarily used as an exhibition space as part of Somerset House’s cultural programme, is available this year for Christmas party packages for up to 300 for a standing reception. With beautiful high ceilings, grand windows and interlinking rooms, the East Wing offers a versatile and opulent space for the festivities. Partnering with Plain Jane Events, a creative events agency with over 20 years’ experience, the East Wing Galleries will come alive during this Christmas period. Plain Jane Events has extensive experience in all elements of event management, production and styling and can guarantee delivery of amazing events from concept through to completion. Music will also be provided by accredited entertainment supplier, Eight Ray Music.

Alternatively, organisers can book a Christmas lunch package for up to 100 in the striking Portico Rooms - choosing from either a three-course seated lunch or a lavish buffet. Organisers booking this space can wow their guests with an al fresco drinks reception overlooking the renowned ice rink.

Stephanie Bevan-Moss, Deputy Head of Corporate Events at Somerset House, comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to win Best Christmas Venue in the London Venue Awards. Not only has the venue become renowned for epitomising Christmas with its stunning ice rink and unrivalled festive atmosphere, but the events team has worked incredibly hard to ensure guests enjoy a Christmas party to remember.”

One of the city’s most spectacular and well-loved spaces, Somerset House is a new kind of arts centre in the heart of London, designed for today’s audiences, artists and creatives – an inspirational community where contemporary culture is imagined, created and experienced.

From its 18th Century origins, Somerset House has played a central role in our society as a place where our culture and collective understanding of the world is shaped and defined. In 2000, it began its reinvention as a cultural powerhouse and home for arts and culture today, creating unique and stimulating experiences for the public, bringing them into direct contact with ideas from the greatest artists, makers and thinkers of our time. Our distinctive and dynamic year-round programme spans the contemporary arts in all its forms, from cutting-edge exhibitions and installations to annual festivals, seasonal events in the courtyard including Film4 Summer Screen, Summer Series and Skate, and an extensive learning and engagement programme.

As well as welcoming over 3million visitors annually, Somerset House houses the largest and most diverse creative communities in the country – from one-person start-ups to successful creative enterprises including MOBO, British Fashion Council, Dance Umbrella, Improbable Theatre, Hofesh Schecter Company, and Dartmouth Films.

In 2016 we launched Somerset House Studios – a new experimental workspace connecting artists, makers and thinkers with audiences. Currently housing over 80 artists and Makerversity (a community of over 250 emergent makers), the Studios are a platform for the development of new creative projects and collaboration, promoting work that pushes bold ideas, engages with urgent issues and pioneers new technologies. www.somersethouse.org.uk

Portico Rooms – Somerset House’s most popular private hire venue offers balcony views over both The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court and the River Thames. With a capacity for 200 standing, 80 people for a seated lunch and dinner and 100 people for theatre-style seating, Portico Rooms provide a flexible yet grand space for all kinds of events from press days and receptions to dinners and wine tastings.

Navy Board Rooms – These four inter-connected rooms were originally home to the Navy Board, overseeing British naval affairs at the start of the Empire. The layout offers great flexibility - from one specific room to the use of all four spaces for a range of purposes with capacity for 100 standing, 50 people for seated lunch and dinner and 32 for cabaret-style seating.

West Wing ­­ – Entered via the striking grandeur of the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court, guests experience a feeling of calm and space as they enter the West Wing Galleries. With 15 newly renovated rooms, this expansive area boasts light wooden flooring, sweeping high ceilings and plenty of natural light. The understated elegance of the West Wing Galleries has something to suit all tastes, with the blank canvas galleries providing a fantastic backdrop for showcases, press days, product launches and experiential events.

Outdoor Spaces

River Terrace – The River Terrace location offers glorious views of the South Bank across the River Thames, offering a spectacular setting for al fresco events from summer parties to outdoor receptions. The space holds a capacity of 500 standing. Included in the hire is Seamen’s Hall, a wet weather option with a capacity of up to 200.

The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court – The Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court is situated around Somerset House’s elegant fountains and is surrounded on all sides by glorious 18th century buildings. This space is home to some of the best-loved events such as Film4 Summer Screen, Summer Series and Skate, the winter ice rink. This exclusive outdoor space with a capacity of 1500 is available for bespoke evening events on a limited number of specific dates throughout the year.

Lightwells and Deadhouse – The Lightwells and Deadhouse are a favourite for film location managers for film and television and have frequently been used as a backdrop for film and TV including Downton Abbey and Sherlock Holmes. This unique subterranean space, full of atmosphere and charm, is the ideal location for out-of-the-ordinary events. The unique space is available for receptions, press days and launches and capacity varies for each event.

Central Hall Westminster hosted a charity gala music evening to mark the centenary of the end of First World War hostilities, attended by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The Royal Armouries’ 100 Days to Peace was a one-off gala evening of music and reflection, held in the central London venue’s Great Hall and featuring Sir Karl Jenkins and hosted by Lesley Garrett CBE.

Proceeds from the evening, attended by over 1,500, benefited three charities – Help for Heroes; Combat Stress and Heads Together - The Royal Foundation’s campaign and mental health initiative – all of whose work supports military veterans suffering from mental health conditions.

On arrival at the iconic early-20th Century venue situated opposite Westminster Abbey, The Duke and Duchess were greeted by the Royal Armouries Chair of Trustees, General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL and the Reverend Tony Miles, Deputy Superintendent of the church, Methodist Central Hall.

The highlight of the evening saw Sir Karl Jenkins, one of the most performed living composers in the world, conduct his internationally-acclaimed The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. Performed by the Royal Choral Society and the Philharmonia Orchestra with a solo by Kathryn Rudge, this was the only performance in England this year of one of the award-winning composer’s best loved works that was conducted by Sir Karl himself. The stirring music was performed against a backdrop of Hefin Owen’s film of The Armed Man.

Sir Karl Jenkins composed The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace in 1999 when he was commissioned by the Royal Armouries to write a piece of music that marked the start of the new millennium and reflected the renewed hope for the future.

In addition to hosting the evening, Lesley Garrett performed two songs, poignant reminders of the First World War including a poem by WB Yeats, set to music by Sir Karl Jenkins.

Samuel Bordoli’s The Great Silence, was also performed by the Royal Choral Society, whilst the 2018 Armistice installation, There But Not There, for the charity Remembered, honoured the memory of those killed in the First World War.

Lord Dannatt commented: “We were absolutely delighted to welcome The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the Central Hall Westminster for this commemorative event. We have been overwhelmed by the support shown by our sponsors, ambassadors and all three beneficiary charities.”

“The Royal Armouries is committed to making a difference to the thousands of ex-service men and women living with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other combat related mental health conditions.”

Paul Southern, Managing Director of Central Hall Westminster, added: “We were truly honoured to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex through our doors for this superb charity event which reflects our own values. As a charity ourselves existing to help others, we felt extremely proud to provide such a fitting venue for this event.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

About The Royal ArmouriesThe Royal Armouries is committed to making a difference to the thousands of ex-service men and women living with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other combat related mental health conditions. To achieve this, the national museum is working in partnership with Help for Heroes, Combat Stress and Heads Together - The Royal Foundation’s Campaign and Mental Health Initiative.• Royal Armouries has sites in Leeds, HM Tower of London and Fort Nelson in Hampshire.• The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds houses a major part of the national collection of arms and armour, and displays over 8,500 objects throughout its five themed galleries.• Open all year daily, 10am-5pm. Closed 24-26 December• Website: www.royalarmouries.org

About Central Hall WestminsterCentral Hall Westminster (CHW) is central London’s largest purpose-built conference and events centre, combining historical elegance with cutting-edge technical capabilities. The unique Edwardian landmark building situated adjacent to Westminster Abbey is the home of a culturally diverse Methodist Church and has engaged high profile conferences, special events and local business meetings since 1912.Central Hall Westminster is a not for profit company that exists to enhance its architecturally significant building and to provide money for charitable works all over the world.With a maximum capacity of 2,400, Central Hall Westminster offers 25 event spaces, including:

•The Great Hall – Seats up to 2,000 delegates and features Europe’s largest self-supporting domed ceiling, creating a uniquely intimate atmosphere in the circular shaped, tiered balcony hall with natural daylight.•Library and Lecture Hall – The bright and spacious halls provide flexible space flooded with natural light for up to 1,100 delegates.•Six rooms up to 150 delegates - All rooms offer flexible configurations combined with natural light/ blackout facilities. By using adjacent rooms and spacious foyers, unique event spaces can be created, allowing for breakout sessions, catering and registration.•13 rooms for up to 60 delegates - With beautiful original features, Central Hall Westminster’s smaller rooms provide an elegant setting for meetings from 20 to 60 guests.

The architectural features of the building include the iconic dome, spacious entrance foyers and hallways, marble flooring and a sweeping Grand staircase, the design of which is based on the Paris Opera House.​Website: www.c-h-w.comTwitter: @CentralHallFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/centralhallwestminster/